Are Comic Book Films Responsible For Hemsworth And Pine Leaving STAR TREK 4?

If you were looking forward to Star Trek 4 for a father/son reunion between Chris Hemsworth’s George Kirk and Chris Pine’s James T. Kirk you might well be disappointed.

The Hollywood Report is quoting sources that the Chrises and Paramount have walked away from the negotiating table. The point of contention is, of course, money. Insiders state that Paramount claims that they cannot afford to pay the actors what they get paid by Disney and Warner Brothers for their superhero movie roles. Sources for the actors claim the studio is reneging on a previously agreed upon deal, asking them to take a cut from their approved salaries because the Star Trek franchise is struggling.

The actors might have a stronger case. The last Star Trek film, Star Trek Beyond, disappointed in relationship to cost, making nearly $343.5 million against a $185 million budget. As GGI heavy the franchise is, the corners that will be cut with most likely come from the actors’ salaries. And Pine is contractually obligated to appear in the fourth edition of franchise, so the only salary negotiations that would take place would be if the studio wanted to change the terms of that deal.

Negotiations with the rest of the cast were dependent on Paramount making a deal with the Chrises, so their contracts are in a holding pattern. But if the studio was nickel and dime-ing the Chrises, you expect them to pretty much insult the supporting cast with their offers.

There is a possibility that this is a breather for each side and that they will eventually come back to the table. But we might see that Quentin Tarantino Star Trek film sooner rather than later.

William is cursed with the shared love of comic books and of films. Luckily, this is a great time for him to be alive. His writing has been featured on Broken Frontier.com, PopMatters.com and in Comics Foundry magazine.